Rattan vs. Resin Wicker: Which Wins Outside?
They look almost identical in a catalog photo, but rattan and resin wicker behave completely differently once they're outside.
Natural rattan is a plant-based material. It has real weight and texture, but it absorbs moisture, cracks in direct sun, and mildews in humid climates. Resin wicker (also called PE wicker or all-weather wicker) is synthetic polyethylene woven over a powder-coated metal frame. It handles rain, UV exposure, and salt air without complaint.
Which one belongs on your patio depends on where you live, how covered your space is, and how much upkeep you want to do. This breaks down both materials honestly, then shows you four solid picks that illustrate where each one shines.
Best Natural Rattan for a Covered Porch
If you have a deep covered porch that never sees direct rain, natural rattan can absolutely work outdoors. The material has a warmth and density that no synthetic fully replicates. Tight-woven rattan feels like real furniture, not lawn chairs, and it ages into a honey-brown patina over time if you let it.
The Safavieh Outdoor Collection Roscoe 3-piece natural rattan conversation set fits a 10x12 covered porch without crowding it. You get a loveseat and two armchairs sized for actual adults, plus included cushions in weather-resistant fabric. Maintenance is light on a sheltered porch: bring cushions in before heavy rain, treat the rattan with teak oil once a season, and it holds up.
The honest caveat: if your porch gets afternoon sun for more than a couple of hours, or if you live somewhere humid like the Gulf Coast or Pacific Northwest, natural rattan is going to fight you. The fibers swell, crack, and eventually pull apart at the joints. For those climates, skip ahead to the resin picks.
Safavieh Outdoor Collection Roscoe 3-Piece Natural Rattan Conversation Set
$389
2,100+ reviews
Solid natural rattan with included cushions and a real adult seat depth, made for covered porches that stay dry.
Shop on Amazon →Best All-Weather Resin Wicker for a Sun-Exposed Patio
Resin wicker's biggest advantage is that it genuinely does not care about the weather. The polyethylene strands are UV-stabilized and color-locked, which means the finish you buy is basically the finish you'll have five years later. On a south-facing patio that bakes through June, July, and August, that matters a lot.
The Suncrown 4-piece outdoor wicker conversation set is one of the better values in this category. The frame is powder-coated steel, the wicker weave is tight and doesn't snag on clothing, and the cushions use a thick fill that bounces back after rain dries out. It fits on a 12x14 patio and seats four people, which covers most backyard gathering situations without spilling onto the grass.
The cushion covers zip off for washing, which sounds minor until you've owned a set that doesn't have that feature. Setup takes about 45 minutes with two people. This is the pick for anyone who wants something that holds up through a full Midwest or Southeast summer with zero annual maintenance.
Suncrown Outdoor 4-Piece Wicker Patio Conversation Set with Cushions
$479
8,600+ reviews
UV-stabilized PE wicker on powder-coated steel with removable, zip-off cushion covers and four-person seating.
Shop on Amazon →Best Resin Wicker Dining Set for Outdoor Entertaining
Outdoor dining sets take more abuse than lounge furniture. Chairs get dragged across pavers, drinks get knocked over, and the table sits in the elements year-round. Natural rattan dining chairs exist, but the joints chip and weaken with that kind of daily use. Resin wicker handles it without drama.
The Tangkula 5-piece patio wicker dining set pairs a tempered glass-top table with four high-backed chairs in a tight PE rattan weave. The chairs have a full wraparound arm and enough seat depth to actually be comfortable through a full outdoor dinner. The glass top cleans up fast and doesn't trap heat the way a solid composite top does, which matters when you're eating outside on a hot August evening.
This set fits a 10x12 dining area for four, and you can pull two chairs aside if you need more of a lounge layout. The frames are rust-resistant aluminum, so if you're near salt air or deal with a lot of humidity, it holds up better than a steel-frame alternative at the same price.
Tangkula 5-Piece Patio Wicker Dining Set with Tempered Glass Table
$419
3,800+ reviews
All-weather PE wicker dining chairs on rust-resistant aluminum frames with a tempered glass table top.
Shop on Amazon →Best Resin Wicker for a Small Balcony or Apartment Patio
On a 6x8 balcony, a full conversation set isn't happening. You need something that earns its square footage. A pair of all-weather wicker chairs with a small side table does the job without blocking the railing view or making the space feel like a showroom.
The Outsunny 3-piece PE rattan bistro set comes with two bucket-style chairs and a round side table in a profile slim enough for a narrow balcony. The chairs have a slight recline that works well for morning coffee or an evening drink without being so lounge-heavy that you can't eat a meal. The weave is tighter than most sets at this price, and the frames are aluminum so rust isn't a concern.
Weight matters on balconies too. This set runs about 35 lbs total, which makes it easy to move inside before a storm or at the end of the season. Natural rattan at this price point would start showing weather damage within one season on an exposed balcony, which is why resin is the clear call for apartment living.
Outsunny 3-Piece PE Rattan Wicker Bistro Set with Round Side Table
$259
5,400+ reviews
Slim-profile all-weather wicker bistro set on aluminum frames, under 35 lbs total, designed for small balconies.
Shop on Amazon →Quick Tips for Choosing Between Rattan and Resin Wicker
- Check the frame, not just the weave. Powder-coated aluminum frames outlast steel in humid or coastal climates. If the product listing doesn't specify aluminum, assume steel and factor in eventual rust.
- Natural rattan needs a covered, shaded space. Any porch that sees direct rain or more than two hours of direct sun per day will degrade natural rattan within two to three seasons. A deep covered porch is its only viable outdoor home.
- Cushion fabric matters as much as the wicker type. Look for solution-dyed polyester or Sunbrella fabric. These resist fading and mildew far better than basic polyester fills and hold up through multiple seasons without looking washed out.
- Tighter weaves last longer. On resin wicker, a fine, tight weave is more durable than an open, chunky pattern. The tighter the weave, the less UV exposure hits the core strand underneath.
- Storing it over winter extends the life of any set. Even all-weather resin wicker holds up longer if you stack it and throw a cover over it during freeze-thaw months rather than leaving it fully exposed through winter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is resin wicker the same thing as rattan?
No. Natural rattan is a plant-based material that gets woven into furniture frames. Resin wicker is a synthetic polyethylene strand woven over a metal frame. They look similar but behave very differently outdoors, especially in rain, sun, and humidity.
Can natural rattan furniture be left outside?
Only on a fully covered porch with no direct rain or extended sun exposure. Even there, it benefits from annual treatment with teak oil or a furniture conditioner. In humid or coastal climates, natural rattan will crack and mildew outdoors within a few seasons regardless of care.
How long does resin wicker patio furniture last?
A quality all-weather resin wicker set on an aluminum frame should last 8 to 12 years with basic care. The main factors that shorten that lifespan are poor UV stabilization in the resin strands and rust from a steel frame.
Does all-weather wicker fade in the sun?
Cheaper sets can start fading within two seasons. Look for listings that specifically call out UV-stabilized or UV-protected PE wicker. Well-made sets hold their color for five or more years in full-sun conditions.
Is resin wicker comfortable to sit in?
The wicker itself is firm, so cushions are what determine comfort. Look for sets with at least 4-inch thick cushions and a fill that springs back after getting wet. Thin cushions on a hard wicker frame wear out comfort fast.